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As I mentioned in the introduction post, before I started design on Overflow, I wrote out several design goals. One of the pieces of advice I heard from other game designers (both video game and tabletop), was that many first projects are overly complex and can jam up a first-time game designer. Heck, even some seasoned veterans probably struggle with keeping things simple too.

The thing is, even though I knew this piece of advice, the game I originally designed before Overflow was too complex and had too many rules.

I kept getting tripped up in its intricacies and boundaries. I thought these were helping me but were actually too large for me to really pinpoint good ideas. I eventually scrapped the idea and that led me to the first Overflow design goal; simple, less rules.

I think it’s important that I lay out some context too since it might beg the question, “simpler than what?” or, “less rules than what?”

Here’s a shortlist of great games that are more complex and have more rules than Overflow:

Zombicide

Settlers of Catan

Cosmic Encounter

Puzzle Strike

Pathfinder

Now, here’s a list of great games that are either as simple or even simpler than Overflow, with equal or less rules:

Escape: Curse of the Temple

Boom-O

Bang!

Apples to Apples

Cards Against Humanity

Dixit

Overflow is in the middle of these two lists. It of course has a rulebook, but can easily be taught by an experienced player from memory, without ever referencing the rulebook. I drew a line in the ground and never allowed myself to cross it.

Like this:

It’s time to get into the details of Overflow! Disclaimer: all artwork is not final.

How clearing rows and gravity works in Overflow.

Object of the Game

Overflow takes place on a 3×3 (rows x columns) field that blocks fall into. Your goal is to try and overflow other players while avoiding it yourself. If you end your turn with the stack more than the maximum amount, you Overflow’d and lose 1 hit point (HP). The maximum amount allowed at any time on the field is 9 blocks. If you lose all your HP, you are eliminated from the game and the winner is the last player with HP.

Clearing Rows

Clearing rows can be done in 2 ways:

Rows clear immediately when all blocks in a row are of the same color (diagonals and columns do not clear even if they’re the same color).

If you empty your hand, you immediately clear any full row. If no full row exists, you clear any other row.

If you empty your hand during an opponent’s turn, you draw 7 and clear at the beginning of your next turn.

Whenever you clear a row, you charge your Overflow Meter by one.

Overflow Meter

As you clear rows, you are charging your Overflow Meter. Once you get to 4, your meter is fully charged and you must now choose one player to lose 1 HP. Afterwards, your meter goes back down to 0.

Gravity

At the start of the game, the deck is placed at the bottom of the stack to orient gravity. When a row is cleared or a block is placed in a column, blocks fall straight down toward the deck.

Special Blocks

Colorless Blocks

Flipped over blocks are colorless. They are immune to certain cards (Switcheroo!, Flip Flop!, Colorblind!, Can’t Touch This! and Cooties!) but are still affected by gravity. A row of colorless blocks does not clear.

Ultimate Blocks

Ultimate blocks have an extra ability. When ante’d, you may choose to use this ability.

Ongoing Effects

Some blocks have an ongoing effect that changes the game for a round of turns. They can affect other players’ turns or provide a benefit to the owner. When you play an ongoing effect, place it face up in front of you until the beginning of your next turn.

Setup the Game

Shuffle all Block Cards and deal 7 to each player

Give 4 Life and Overflow Meter Cards to each player

Each player starts with 3 HP and 0 charges

Place the deck at the bottom of the stack to orient gravity

Decide who goes first, turn order goes clockwise

If the deck is empty, shuffle the discard pile and flip it over to become the deck

This is how you keep track of HP and your Overflow Meter.

Use flipped over Meter Cards to keep track of your HP and Overflow Meter. This player has 2 HP and has a fully charged Overflow Meter. Watch out!

Field Size and Panic Time!

The number of players determines what tier of Panic Time! you’re in. As players are eliminated you have to ante more. You’ll find players lose HP quicker the longer the game goes on and the more players are eliminated.

The maximum field size is always (rows x columns): 3×3

5-6 players

Panic Time! tier 1: Ante 1

3-4 players

Panic Time! tier 2: Ante 2

2 players

Panic Time! tier 3: Ante 3

Turn Phases

Ongoing Phase

Execute any ongoing actions you played last turn, then discard.

Ante Phase

Depending what tier of Panic Time! you’re on, take the topmost block(s) from the deck and without looking, place it face up in a column of your choosing. (resolve any row clears immediately)

Add Phase

From your hand, add a block in a column of your choosing (resolve any row clears immediately)

Action Phase

Play an action from your hand, and then discard it.

End Phase

If the stack is overflowing at the end of your turn (10 blocks in a 4 player game), you lose 1 HP. Discard all blocks from the stack and ongoing blocks. All players then draw until they have 7 blocks (if you have more than 7, do not draw). Turn order starts with the player who just lost 1 HP. If that player was eliminated, the next player starts.

That’s it! I have my very first blind playtest scheduled for next week. A blind playtest is where first-time players learn and play using just the rulebook. I have to sit off to the side and try not to say anything. A good sign would be if I don’t have to clarify or say anything really during the test. I don’t expect that to happen at all, but it’s what I’m shooting for of course. I’m a bit nervous but pretty confident that the rulebook does a good job so I’m crossing my fingers.